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Electronic and Experimental Music

Technology, Music, and Culture, 3rd Edition

By Thom Holmes, Thom Holmes

Published April 23rd 2008 by Routledge – 462 pages

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Description

Electronic and Experimental Music: Technology, Music, and Culture provides a thorough treatment of the relevant history behind the marriage of technology and music that has led to the state of electronic music today. Beginning with an early history of electronic music before 1945, the book outlines key composers, inventions, and concepts, ranging from Edgard Varèse to Brian Eno; musique concrète to turntablism; and compositional techniques used in both analog and digital synthesis.

The third edition’s reader-friendly writing style, logical organization, and features provide easy access to key ideas, milestones, and concepts.

Features:

  • Reader’s guides and summaries at the beginning and end of each chapter
  • Innovations boxes providing a unique profile of an influential individual in the field of electronic music
  • Listen playlists recommending key recordings in each musical genre mentioned in each chapter
  • Milestones timelines summarizing the major technological and musical innovations discussed in each chapter.

Reviews

'The book is a superlative intersection of history and practice. With its charts, pictures, historical antecedents, and well-explained concepts, Electronic and Experimental Music is an essential resource for anyone interested in extraordinary sound.' Chris DeLaurenti, The Stranger

'This third edition effectively replaces both previous editions due to substantial additions and a well-executed reorganization… Holmes does an excellent job of avoiding unnecessary technical jargon while providing specific information on the analog techniques and digital software and hardware that have driven the development of this genre… This well-known history remains an invaluable guide for those hoping to gain a firm grounding in the history and culture of electronic music… Highly recommened.' - CHOICE

Contents

Part 1. Early History—Predecessors and Pioneers (1874 to 1960) 1. Electronic Music Before 1945 2. Early Electronic Music in Europe 3. Early Electronic Music in the United States and Latin America 4. Early Electronic Music in Japan, Southeast Asia, and China Part 2. Analog Synthesis and Instruments 5. Tape Composition and Fundamental Concepts of Electronic Music 6. Early Synthesizers and Experimenters 7. Principles of Analog Synthesis and Voltage Control 8. The Voltage-Controlled Synthesizer Part 3. Digital Synthesis and Computer Music 9. Early Computer Music (1953-95) 10. The Microprocessor Revolution (1975–2011) 11. The Principles of Computer Music Part 4. The Music 12. Classical and Experimental Music 13. Jazz, Live Electronic Music, and Ambient Music 14. Rock, Space Age Pop, and Turntablism

Author Bio

Thom Holmes is a composer and music historian. He studied composition with Paul Epstein in Philadelphia, was the long-time publisher of the magazine Recordings of Experimental Music (1979-1985), and worked with John Cage.

Available on the Apple iBookstore

Name: Electronic and Experimental Music: Technology, Music, and Culture, 3rd Edition (Paperback) – Routledge 
Description: By Thom Holmes, Thom Holmes. Electronic and Experimental Music: Technology, Music, and Culture provides a thorough treatment of the relevant history behind the marriage of technology and music that has led to the state of electronic music today. Beginning with an early history of...
Categories: Music Technology, 20th Century Music, Digital Music